The trend estimate of employed persons rose from 8,408,700 in January 1997 to 9,056,400 in September 2000. The trend then fell slightly to 9,037,500 in January 2001, before generally rising to stand at a high of 10,327,900 in January 2007.

UNEMPLOYED PERSONS

The trend estimate of unemployed persons generally fell from 771,000 in January 1997 to 583,700 in September 2000, before rising to 685,700 in October 2001. The trend then fell to 532,700 in January 2005, remained relatively stable for 18 months, before falling to stand at 494,500 in January 2007.

UNEMPLOYMENT RATE

The trend unemployment rate generally fell from 8.4% in January 1997 to 6.1% in September 2000. After rising to 7.0% in October 2001, the trend fell to 5.1% in January 2005. After remaining relatively stable for 18 months the trend has fallen to stand at 4.6% in January 2007.